Size doesn't matter when it comes to Trey Banks' competitive nature

Trey Banks is an energetic eleven year old who enjoys participating in sports. Trey was diagnosed with Achondroplasia at birth and his mom and dad Steven and Karla Banks have been it keeping him active and teaching him size doesn't matter.
Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Trey Banks a catcher for the Detroit Braves ten and under baseball team and Marquan Wells celebrate after getting a Lac Bulldogs runner out at home plate Sunday, July 30, 2017 at Balduck Field in Detroit, MI.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)

"I don't need a lot of sleep,'' said Trey. "I like to stay up all night, because it's the summertime. I should be able to enjoy my summer. We're going on vacation soon, and I can't wait. I don't know why I don't need a lot of rest.''

Engaging, talented, intense, aggressive, tenacious, focused, intelligent, temperamental, leader and versatile are used to describe Trey, a student at Schulze Elementary School on Detroit's west side whose favorite subject is English.

Trey was unusually quiet on this Monday morning, but a bribe from his mother got him talking.

"My shoes are in the trunk, and she said if I don't speak to you, I'm not going to get those shoes,'' he said.

Trey Banks a catcher for the Detroit Braves ten and under baseball team works behind the plate during action against the Full Count Kings Friday, July 21, 2017 at William Clay Ford Field in Detroit, MI. Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Trey Banks a catcher for the Detroit Braves ten and under baseball team works behind the plate during action against the Full Count Kings Friday, July 21, 2017 at William Clay Ford Field in Detroit, MI. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Trey Banks a catcher for the Detroit Braves ten and under baseball team and Marquan Wells celebrate after getting Lac Bulldogs runner out at home plate Sunday, July 30, 2017 at Balduck Field in Detroit. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

One adjective you won’t hear from anyone that knows Trey is "handicapped."

Far from it.

Trey has achondroplasia. It’s a bone growth disorder that causes disproportionate dwarfism. Dwarfism is defined as a condition of short stature as an adult. People with achondroplasia are short in stature with a normal-sized torso and short limbs.

The disorder occurs in approximately one in 25,000 live births, according to Columbia University Medical Center. It’s equally common in males and females.

“It doesn’t run on either side of our family, but I was told it was hereditary,’’ said Karla Banks, 50, Trey’s mother. “They said it could go back 50 generations. The first doctor I had didn’t spot it. I had an ultrasound with my second doctor, and he said Trey appeared a little small.

“We’ve always told Trey it’s not your stature but it’s what’s in your heart. We’ve never tried to stop him from doing anything he wanted to do, and he does everything. It’s amazing. People and kids gravitate to him. He’s a leader, and his teammates follow him. He’s fearless and isn’t afraid to try anything.’’

Karla Banks was 40 when she had Trey. Trey’s sister, Jayla, and half-brother, Brandon French, are normal size. Jayla graduated from Cass Tech and is headed to Western Michigan University.

"The things Trey can do are amazing,'' said Jayla."I didn't know he'd be this talented. He's just the best thing ever.''

Trey's mannerisms and strong will fill the family’s west side home. If Kobe, the family Shih Tzu, could talk, he’d only have good things to say about his buddy. When the family took a picture for publication, Trey made sure Kobe was alongside him.

“Sit still," he commanded.

French, who played football at Renaissance and just graduated from Howard University, said his half-brother is tireless.

“He watched me play football, and he wanted to play," said French. "He’s very focused and determined. He might be small, but he’s very intelligent. He picks up things very quickly.’’

Kalon Harris is French’s best friend and neighbor. He still marvels at Trey’s energy.

“He’s full of energy, he’s good at every sport that he plays,’’ said Harris. “He’s athletic. He can do a lot. He’s strong. He’s a busybody. Trey likes to work. He wants to practice all day, every day. Every sport."

Trey Banks gets a hand with his football helmet from Matti Baltrusaitis at the Xenith plant in Detroit Tuesday, August 1, 2017.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)

In football, Trey plays safety, running back and slot receiver for the Northwest Cougars.

In baseball, he’s a catcher, shortstop and outfielder: “I like catcher the best. I don’t know why,’’ he said.

In basketball, he’s a point guard.

“He went out for the team and made it; I give him all the credit,’’ said Banks, 51.

Said Trey: “I like breaking ankles.’’

Literally.

Last year, during a football game, he was making a tackle and broke an opponent’s ankle.

“I went to wrap him up around his feet, and I broke his ankle,’’ said Trey.

“I don’t know which sport I like the best. I don’t know why I like football or baseball, I just do.’’

Drawing a walk, he noticed the second baseman and shortstop were too far from second base, and with the pitcher in the windup he strolled to second.

With a teammate on third, he was so far off the bag — daring the catcher or pitcher to throw him out — that even his teammates were scared.

“Trey, get back, get back,’’ his teammates yelled.

He threw out a couple of runners during the game.

His baseball coach is Garrett Street, his godfather.

“He’s tremendous. His heart is as big as a lion’s,’’ said Street. “He’s a real gamer. I’m proud to be his godfather, and I push him harder than the other guys. I know some of the other players are ‘Wow, you are so hard on this guy.’ I know what he has inside of him, and I bring out the best in him.

"He’s just a kid that’s full of energy, very popular among his peers. He's a leader, and he just lifts guys up when they are down or after they make mistakes."

Anthony Mills, a gymnast and a gymnastics coach, raved at Trey’s athletic ability. While Mills was coaching Jayla, Trey tagged along and picked up what she was doing. He can do a standing or running backflip. He’s strong and sturdy and has a great center of gravity.

“He wanted to learn how to flip, and I was teaching him. He caught on quick,’’ said Mills 22. “Even though he was born (with dwarfism), those things don’t faze him at all."

Trey's swag came in handy when he met former Lions receiver Anquan Boldin at a local restaurant, Matthew and Kelly Stafford at J. Alexanders at Somerset Mall and Barry Sanders at a Lions camp.

“We were at Benihana’s having dinner, and Trey spotted Anquan Boldin,’’ said Banks. “He was laid-back with his family. Nobody noticed him, and this was just before he was getting ready to sign (with the Lions). It was this time last year. We were walking out, and Trey was like, ‘Have a great season, Anquan Boldin.’ He heard him, but he couldn’t see him. (Boldin) just lit up. He saw Trey, and he told him to come here. They talked and enjoyed each other.’’

Added Trey: “He said hi, and he told me to keep working.’’

The Staffords were at Somerset Mall when Matt Stafford and Trey made eye contact.

“He said hi, and I said hi,’’ said Trey. “His wife was pregnant.’’

During a Lions football game, Sanders and Trey had a chance to speak one-on-one.

“He told me to keep working hard,’’ said Trey. “He said he’d be looking out for me. He was a real nice guy.’’

Trey Banks in his room where he hangs motivational sayings on his wall Monday, July 31, 2017.(Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)

Trey sees a number of number of different places where he could end up in the future.

“I’d like to be an offensive coordinator in football,’’ he said. “I’d rather coach offense than defense.